So, after a while my books arrived, and I let them sit for a week or two; 11 volumes is by and large a decorative thing, right? Ryan flipped through the volume on Greece and Rome, and recognized some of the sculpture and temples, thanks to Calvert School's Child's History of Art. Then, being bored last Friday, I decided to crack open the first volume of the book. Now, I can't say I've made a lot of progress, 100 pages or so (not much of a dent on the oh, 12,000 or so in the set), but there was a great quote on page 5 of the book, right at the beginning of Chepater 2 on the economic elements of civilization:
"Three meals a dare are a highly advanced institution. Savages gorge themselves or fast."
But, funniest of all to me, when Ryan saw the cover of this book:
he exclaimed, "I know that guy! He's the Hammy guy! He gave us the first Code of laws!" He then raced upstairs for his Calvert 4th grade history book, brought it back down and announced that it was Hammurabi, who was the first "dude" to put the laws right out there in public so everyone could read them. When quizzed as to whether everyone could read, he admitted not, but then rushed to say that they all must have had friends who could help, so if they wanted to be criminals, they could know enough to stop before they got caught.I was amazed that he remembered and recognized Hammurabi. I doubt he would have known of Hammurabi (and certainly not of the Greek and Roman sculpture and temples) at the end of 6th grade without Calvert School. Sometimes our kids just make us proud.
And, to our neighbors to the north, Happy Canada Day!
3 comments:
Eleven volumes! That's a good bit of summer reading! It doesn't surprise me at all that Ryan made that connection ... I bet you were proud of him! I so enjoy reading old volumes. We had an ancient set of encyclopedias when I was growing up, and I loved comparing subjects side by side with the newer sets. Hmmm ... I wonder what happened to those.
Wow! I just found your blog and I loved reading all your posts pertaining to Calvert School. We have been using Calvert School here in Florida for five years now - Pre-k through half of third grade (so far) for my son, and Pre-k and most of K (so far) for my daughter. Yes, we truly love and appreciate what they are getting through Calvert. It is challenging, and my kids are bright. I love your detailed posts - I read every Calvert post this morning. I love to hear from happy Calvert moms. There aren't that many here in Florida. You seem like you might live in New Jersey maybe? I used to live there, myself, in Bergen County. Anyway, I will bookmark your blog and keep reading. I have a new blog. Our kids are younger than yours, but check us out at violinkids.blogspot.com . We are a serious Suzuki violin family. I also completely agree with your philosophy on computer and gamestations -- they will never exist in our house, either. I have always encouraged reading here, and we have had many family read alouds. Do you have any suggestions for enriching read alouds for listening 5 and 8 year olds (who are accustomed to listening to good sentence structure?) Drop on by! -- Best regards, Violin Mom in Florida
I have just found your blog, coming off of Tatersmama! I love it, so I am going from beginning to end reading about you and your family. I come from Northwest Oregon, not far from Portland.
I guess what I wanted to say is that we have so much in common. I left home at 15 also, never lived in the same house more than one year. At 19 we bought a house that was built in 1906, so yes, I understand how it is not for the faint hearted. lol. I have three children, sew, knit and cook. Now I have 9 grandchildren and love every bit of teaching my family about how home is your refuge in the world, so make it a pleasant one. When I was small I always said that I would have dessert every night, not just on Holidays. (really I said I would eat every night!)
The only thing that I regret is back in the 70's there was little information on homeschooling. I so wish I would have been able to do that, what a blessing to teach your children without all the pressure and nonsense in the school system.
You do not have to post this long ramble, just thought I would let you know that it has brought me joyful memories of when my house was always full and I think we would get along just fine.
In my little world, I have always done anything possible to "not leave the compound". LOL. I think you may be my doppleganger, except I am olive complected and have dark hair. Just cut it after I don't know how many years. I refuse to dress or look like everyone else and aim to please my Mr. of 37 years and myself! I do not have a blog, but you may respond if you have want or time, at imagine.that@live.com
Now back to my reading.
Jane ♥
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